Dr. Jingqin Gao is a dedicated professional with over 10 years of experience in transportation planning and engineering. She has served as principal investigator (PI), co-PI, and lead researcher for multiple projects funded by the U.S. DOT, NASEM, AASHTO, NYSDOT, NYCDOT, and NJDOT. As the Assistant Director of Research at C2SMART University Transportation Center funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). Dr. Gao assisted the center to secure a $15M grant, including $10M from U.S. DOT, to pursue a research and educational program focused on understanding and combatting traffic congestion. Dr. Gao’s research has focused on emerging technologies and urban analytics for smart transportation. She is best known for her research on evaluating the field performance of U.S. DOT Connected Vehicle  Pilot Deployment Safety Applications in New York City, utilizing cooperative automated transportation data for transportation operational strategies, assessing the mobility and policy impacts on transportation systems during COVID-19, AI-based transportation solutions for smart cities, and double parking analysis.

Before joining NYU, Dr. Gao worked in the Modeling and Data Analysis unit at the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT), which supports the agency’s internal planning, technical review processes, and coordinated with external agencies on regional projects.

Beyond her academic pursuits, she champions women in STEM, diversity, equity, and workforce development. Dr. Gao is named as Who’s Who America in Professional Women in 2023 and is a recipient of the Dr. Louis J. Pignataro Memorial Transportation Education Award by ITE MET section and National Leadership Legacy Award from the WTS-GNY chapter.